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Department of Energy Establishes Asset Revitalization Task Force

February 17, 2011 - 12:00pm

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Washington, D.C. – Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced the establishment of a Task Force on Asset Revitalization to facilitate a discussion among the Department of Energy, communities around DOE sites, nonprofits, tribal governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to identify reuse approaches as environmental cleanup efforts reach completion. The task force will explore opportunities to reutilize DOE site assets for beneficial purposes, which may include clean energy development, environmental sustainability projects, open space or other uses.

“For decades, Department of Energy sites and their surrounding communities have played a vital role in supporting the nation’s nuclear weapons defense mission. Thanks to investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the hard work of our employees, many sites that were critical to supporting national defense are poised to build a new future,” said Secretary Chu.

The task force will make recommendations within the year to the Under Secretaries of Energy, Science and Nuclear Security on the formation of an Asset Revitalization Initiative (ARI). The ARI would be a path forward for working with communities, nonprofits, tribal governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to leverage these resources – including land, industrial structures, electric grid connections, and a highly trained and talented workforce – for future use. The task force will also recommend processes and procedures for the review of potential solicitations and project proposals.

The group will develop a report to Congress as required by the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2011.

The task force will include representatives from the offices of Environmental Management, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Nuclear Energy, Science, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Legacy Management, the Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Office of Management, Public Affairs, and Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Defense Programs office.